So. A last minute invite from Disney to review the “re-imagined” Disney cruise ship meant that I’ve been away for a few days. My youngest was at school so stayed with his father and my daughter was happy to look after the cats and have gatherings in my absense – so all good. After a few minutes of indecision I made my arrangements and off I went. Well, you can’t really turn down an invitation like that, now can you….
First stop, the Virgin Lounge at Heathrow airport. Incredibly luxurious and spoiling.
I was with a press group. One went off to have a haircut, another had a facial (and that was just the boys!). There is a spa with lots of treatments on offer, but I expect you have to book most in advance, a restaurant that served us a delicious choice of breakfast and a bar area with free wifi and papers.
Heaven.
The danger of course is that everyone appears to feel the need to order two of everything. It was only 9am and there were people sitting at the bar with two Cosmopolitan cocktails each. Still, I guess international airports are the perfect excuse to forget about your boring old time zone routine and get stuck into the alcohol.
The flight to Miami was long but relatively painless (9 hours something). We were lucky emough to be flying in Premium Economy which gives you a lot more space in your seat. It goes back quite far and has a foot and head rest. The food was good. Choice of films and music excellent – I finally watched “Beyond The Pines” which was more harrowing than I thought it was going to be but excellent, nevertheless.
The best bit about the flight for me was the overall atmosphere. I felt like I was in somebody’s house. During the long middle part of the flight – when a lot of people were getting a little bit bored and restless – especially the children, I watched several (gay obviously) men taking over the job of walking a bored and frustrated baby around the aisles much to the grateful thanks of the mother (father – ridiculously hands off and useless for the entire flight). There was a woman at the front with MS I suspect who was unable to move her limbs, so somebody was brushing her hair and another was tucking her into a big fat duvet and massaging her feet. People were up and chatting and the flight attendants were relaxed and yet professional and attentive. At one point they came around with a choice of Fab ice lollies to eat and then just before landing a little basket of Love Heart sweets! Nice touch. It felt a lot more human than most flights I’ve been on recently.
Personally I think it’s worth spending the extra money on premium economy if you can afford it – you even get a little table cloth on your tray and you get to nick the salt and pepper pot (which have “pinched from Virgin Atlantic” printed on the bottom – well, I wasn’t even going to pinch them until I found that out!). It’s a lot more if you were going to go for the lowest economy price – about an extra £1K but if you were looking for a flexible flight which costs around £850 each way then then it’s only about £400 more. So worth it….
Expat Mum
October 29, 2013What are those black Star Wars looking things?
Family Affairs
October 29, 2013Those are the little “permission to steal” salt and pepper pots Lx
Sarah Ebner
October 30, 2013Sounds excellent – and all before you’ve arrived!
Family Affairs
October 31, 2013I know!! Lx
Mums do travel
November 2, 2013I like the sound of lollies and love hearts on the flight and the Virgin Lounge sounds wonderful. I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip.
Family Affairs
November 3, 2013Seriously – it was a lovely touch L x